(1) Default. If the contractor refuses or fails to perform any of the provisions of this contract with such diligence as will ensure its completion within the time specified in this contract, or any extension thereof, otherwise fails to timely satisfy the contract provisions, or commits any other substantial breach of this contract, the procurement officer may notify the contractor in writing of the delay or nonperformance; and if not cured in ten days or any longer time specified in writing by the procurement officers, such officer may terminate the contractor's right to proceed with the contract or such part of the contract as to which there has been delay or a failure to properly perform. In the event of termination in whole or in part the procurement officer may procure similar supplies or services in a manner and upon terms deemed appropriate by the procurement officer. The contractor shall continue performance of the contract to the extent it is not terminated and shall be liable for excess costs incurred in procuring similar goods or services.

(2) Contractor's Duties. Notwithstanding termination of the contract and subject to any directions from the procurement officer, the con tractor shall take timely, reasonable, and necessary action to protect and preserve property in the possession of the contractor in which the government has an interest.

(3) Compensation. Payment for completed supplies delivered and accepted shall be at the contract price. Payment for the protection and preservation of property shall be in an amount agreed upon by the contractor and procurement officer. The government may withhold from amounts due the contractor such sums as the procurement officer deems to be necessary to protect the government against loss because of outstanding liens or claims of former lien holders and to reimburse the government for the excess costs incurred in procuring similar goods and services.

(4) Excuse for Nonperformance or Delayed Performance. Except with respect to defaults of subcontractors, the contractor shall not be in default by reason of any failure in performance of this contract in accordance with its terms (including any failure by the contractor to make progress in the prosecution of the work hereunder which endangers such performance) if the contractor has notified the procurement officer within 15 days after the cause of the delay and the failure arises out of causes such as, acts of God, acts of the public enemy, acts of the government and any other governmental entity in its sovereign or contractual capacity, fires, floods, epidemics, quarantine restrictions, strikes or other labor disputes, freight embargoes, or unusually severe weather. If the failure to perform is caused by the failure of a subcontractor to perform or to make progress, and if such failure arises out of causes similar to those set forth above, the contractor shall not be deemed to be in default, unless the supplies of services to be furnished by the subcontractor were reasonably obtainable from other sources in sufficient time to permit the contractor to meet the contract requirements.

Upon request of the contractor, the procurement officer shall ascertain the facts and extent of such failure, and, if such officer determines that any failure to perform was occasioned by anyone or more of the excusable causes, and that, but for the excusable cause, the contractor's progress and performance would have met the terms of the con tract, the delivery schedule shall be revised accordingly, subject to the rights of the government under the clause entitled "Termination for Convenience".

(5) Erroneous Termination for Default. If, after notice of termination of the contractor's right to proceed under the provisions of this clause, it is determined for any reason that the contractor was not in default under the provisions of this clause, the rights and obligations of the parties shall, if the contract contains a clause providing for termination for convenience, be the same as if the notice of termination had been issued pursuant to such clause.

(6) Additional Rights and Remedies. The rights and remedies provided in this clause are in addition to any other rights and remedies provided by law or under this contract.